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(That's no bull slips, despite a little rain. Plenty of bruised back sides.)

Hundreds of Pensacola residents and visitors are sporting bruised butts today after being whacked repeatedly with over-sized plastic baseball bats by about 50 skating demon bulls from the Pensacola Roller Gurlz and other local skate clubs.

The fourth annual Fiesta de San Fermin en Pensacola Running of the Bulls began under gray skies at Seville Quarter Saturday morning. Still, a few hundred turned out in traditional white-shirts and red-bandanas to run the two-mile course through the streets of downtown Pensacola. The event is modeled after the iconic Running of the Bulls in Spain.

Many of the "bulls" chased runners out of the gate, while others were strategically hidden behind vehicles and bushes throughout the route, ready to spring surprise and hurt on their prey.

"They all got me!" yelled Rich Presley, 26, after four "bulls" jumped from behind a car to take a bite out of his behind with over-sized plastic bats. "Man, all at once."

Runners gather in front of Seville Quarter before the start of the race Saturday during the Seville Quarter Running of the Bulls in Downtown Pensacola. John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com

Runners gather in front of Seville Quarter before the start of the race Saturday during the Seville Quarter Running of the Bulls in Downtown Pensacola. John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com